Simplifying Life Through Technology
SoundVision LLC is a lifestyle technology company located in Mooresville, North Carolina. We interview vendors, clients and staff with the purpose of demystifying the capabilties of new technologies for your home or business and sometimes highlighting local content that is important to our community.
Simplifying Life Through Technology
Cypress Builders: Sam Meritt
On this episode of “Simplifying Life Through Technology,” Mark, Sue, and Andrew sit down with Sam Meritt, Owner of Cypress Builders and the new president of The Lake Norman Home Builders Association.
We explore how a childhood passion evolved into a successful construction career and industry leadership position. Sam, the owner of Cypress Builders and newly appointed president of the Lake Norman Home Builders Association, traces his journey back to age four when he helped his father build a backyard shed—an experience that sparked a lifelong love for construction.
Growing up tinkering with Lincoln Logs, Legos, and construction paper, Sam's early fascination with building eventually led to practical experience framing custom homes during his high school summers. After winning a Home Builder scholarship and working for Jasper Builders, he launched Cypress Builders in 2017, focusing primarily on high-end remodeling projects. The name itself carries biblical significance, inspired by God's instruction to build the temple from cedar and cypress wood.
What makes Sam's approach distinctive is his embrace of remodeling's unique challenges. While many builders prefer the predictability of new construction, he thrives on the problem-solving opportunities that arise when opening walls in existing homes. "There's a solution to everything," he explains, highlighting the mindset that has built his reputation for quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.
Beyond business success, Sam demonstrates remarkable commitment to nurturing the next generation of builders. Through initiatives like "Trade Thursdays" at Lake Norman High School, he introduces students to various trade careers—opportunities that won't disappear with advancing technology. "AI will never replace the plumber, electrician, or HVAC technician," he notes, emphasizing the enduring value of skilled trades.
For homeowners considering renovation projects, Sam offers invaluable advice: research thoroughly, speak with past clients, but most importantly, consult with a contractor before making any decisions about materials or design elements. The right contractor brings valuable guidance about reliable subcontractors and efficient project management.
Whether you're considering a career in construction or planning your next home improvement project, Sam's insights offer a blueprint for success built on passion, problem-solving, and genuine craftsmanship.
To learn more about Cypress Builders:
https://cypress-builders.com/
Check out Cypress Builders on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cypressbuildersllc/
To learn more about ShopSmith Woodworking:
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So joining us in the podcast studio today we have Sam Merritt, owner of Cypress Builders and the new president of the Lake Norman Home Builders Association. Welcome, sam, thank you very much for having me. Thank you for joining us and joining me. Alongside Sam, we have Sue, hello, and Mark, hello, hello.
Speaker 2:Sue and I are sitting across from each other, so I'm just trying to mimic her.
Speaker 3:That's right.
Speaker 2:Sam, welcome. Thank you very much for having me. You just said this was your first podcast, First one. Yeah, you look kind of uptight right now.
Speaker 3:so our goal is to have your shoulders down. I was trying to relax.
Speaker 1:Yeah right, you want to be here. Yeah Right, something to take.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so tell we'll. Just here's a softball question, sam, for your first one. Tell us about you little history, where you're from, kind of how you got in the business, and where did Cypress, specifically the name, come from?
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, so I'm born and raised here in North Carolina actually Ter raised here in north carolina actually tarrell, to be um exact. So very rare. Yeah, you and zach have some, but it's something in common, yeah. So, uh, born and raised here, um grew up in shells ford, tarrell area. Um seen a lot of growth um that's my stomping went to uh bandy's high school from there and then, um, uh, went to unc charlotte and then moved back to Mooresville in 2007. So I've been in Mooresville ever since.
Speaker 2:One of our technicians, Aiden, is also a Bandies graduate.
Speaker 3:Oh is he? Yeah, I didn't know that. Yeah, he went to Bandies.
Speaker 4:That's where the winners are from there. Hashtag winners.
Speaker 3:We breed winners yeah.
Speaker 2:No losers. So tell us about. How did you get in the? Did you go to UNC Charlotte for building?
Speaker 4:So I originally went into I was going to do engineering. That lasted a full semester and then switched over to business. I realized that engineering just wasn't for me, but really got into the business at a young age. I always tell the story my dad was doing. He wasn't in construction when I was a young age. Um, I always tell the story my dad was doing a. He wasn't in construction when I was a young kid. He got into it later in life but he did um. He built a shed on the side of our house. So, um, I was probably four, maybe five years old and I quote unquote helped him um, built the shed and it just just ignited a passion in me to you know, construction.
Speaker 4:So yeah, so he would drive the nails you know about a, you know three quarters of an inch to the end, and then I would come behind them and just drive the rest of them. Um, just the smell. I can still smell that wood which smells awesome, it's just.
Speaker 4:And then, ever since then, I've been hooked. So I surrounded myself from anything from um having wood kits, playing with balsa wood when I was a little kid, to legos Lincoln logs, um drawings of you know building neighborhoods in my basement out of you know Lincoln logs and construction paper, to just doing anything I could to surround myself with construction. I just loved it that much.
Speaker 2:Hold on, let's get back to the shed. Yeah, so there's sheds and then there's sheds. So like when you're when you said your dad built the shed and neither is wrong, by the way I'm just curious Was it electrical and conditioned? Did he have a mini split in it and that sort of thing?
Speaker 4:Yeah, so not that extravagant. We basically just wood and then electrical and he pretty much did pretty much everything himself. We had some neighbors help, but yeah, just everything, from starting the foundation to digging the footers to the walls and everything. So yeah, it was just a. I mean, I'll probably get the size wrong as the older I get, but probably somewhere around the lines of 16 by 12, something like that. So it wasn't huge. But just, you know T111, you know siding shingles, everything. So we just, um, yeah, just kind of got into it with that and just loved it ever since.
Speaker 2:So guys, guys, uh, overstate fish and sheds size of fish and sheds when they go fishing and shed building. Did he just store tools in it or did he actually like? Is he woodworker or?
Speaker 4:metal. He had a shop smith, um, which is kind of rare these days. He had a shop smith in there. He had a workbench, um. We kept the mower in there, um, but yeah, just kind of a storage slash work area too. So, um, just kind of got in there and you know, the the shop smith was the big thing growing up just to see him working on some of that stuff and it was just incredible to see.
Speaker 3:We have found that a lot of people who are in your industry same thing happened. They got involved with it when they're at a young age, whether it be with a grandfather or a father, or they just like tinkering around, and then it's not like they decide to wake up one day when they're 26. Oh, I'm going to be a builder. Yeah, you know, it's something that's in their blood already.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and then. So from then I just kind of surrounded myself with different things. So, um, one of my mom and dad's good friend growing up was a um was a contractor. So I would work with her 12, 13 years old do to kind of be on the job site and just learn, um, learn pretty much what I don't want to do on a job site, which is probably those two things yeah very much so.
Speaker 4:But um, just to kind of, you know, just surround myself with it and and the experience of it I want to bounce back just for a second.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry we got other stuff to talk about, but this is fascinating. Is shop smith? I know shop smith because one of my best friends in college sold them, so so is that still?
Speaker 4:around. I'm not sure. I don't know that I've seen him. I know you can I haven't in a long time yeah, but I know he had and he ended up selling it years later. He just didn't use it enough. But, um, yeah, I think they're still. I guess people still use them.
Speaker 2:Um, and you check that out in the in the notes got you. There's a shop does it still exist?
Speaker 4:yes, put the link there. And then I ended up getting one, a smaller version of it, when I was a little kid. That was basically you just did stuff with balsa wood, so it had a sander, it had a um saw on it. It had I'm trying to think what else but a couple different things that you could kind of mix and match. And then you build bird houses I built, you know mother's day picture frames for my mom.
Speaker 2:You know different stuff like that, just kind of like the original multi-tool for for bigger stuff sure, saws and sanders, and it was all kind of one thing which was pretty ingenious. Actually it really was. Yeah, so, but you have, you have matriculated, you have grown, you are now not only a business owner which, by the way, before I jumped to this question, we didn't talk about Cyprus. How did that come to being? Where did the name come from? How long have you had it? That sort of thing?
Speaker 4:Yeah. So, um, I actually, you know, talked to my parents about it whenever I was going to start the business, trying to think of a name. My mom's very creative, so I had asked her. I was like, hey, you know, do you, is there anything you can think of a good name? And she, uh, reverted back to the old Testament where God told the Israelites to build the temple out of cedar and cypress. So she's like what about cypress builders? I'm like great Sounds great. We looked it up, there was no other, um, cypress builders or cypressolina.
Speaker 2:So we, we got it and uh, yeah, the rest is kind of history so with the name, so that is that's a great story. Yeah, that's a great story thanks to mom. All right, very cool yeah uh, and and then now now I'll go forward you, you also are. Now you have a new position, so not only a business owner, but you weren't wearing enough hats, so you said I need another job, exactly.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so, um, so I actually got when I was in high school I actually worked for a framing company. So my dad my dad was working at Lowe's hardware at the time so he got me a job with um, with some uh some local framers in the area and so I would work summers framing custom homes. Um, absolutely loved it. So, um, just kind of learn some more there. And then in that um, my dad was a member of the home builders association at the time. He would do a lot of the golf events and stuff like that. So I just kind of um did that and I actually won the scholarship when I was a senior in high school back in 2003,. The home builder scholarship, oh, that's cool.
Speaker 4:Um, yeah, and then I also did you know, uh, my mom's friend, paula Bostic, who was a builder, that she knew she was a president. Yeah, so she was a president, um, and at one time with the home builders, um, I did an internship when I was a senior in high school with Steve Turley, who was president at the time. Um, I also worked for uh, sean, uh Gallagher, who was, um, the past president who I took over for.
Speaker 2:Sean sat in that seat. Yeah, he did, yes, he did.
Speaker 4:So, um, so yeah, so Sean, um, you know, when he was, he took over as president. He or actually right before that, around COVID time 2020, he asked me to join the board and so it was a no brainer for me. You know, I think the Home Builder Association gives so much to builders, so it was just, you know, time to especially with the scholarship and everything to you know, to return the favor. So so I became, got on the board, became vice president, um, eventually president. So Sean was, uh, sean took over for three years, um, he wanted me to. After two years, he wanted me to do it, but I had a young um child on, a second young child on the way, so I was like well let me hold off a year.
Speaker 4:So, um, yeah, so I took over.
Speaker 2:Yeah, very much so I'm sure your wife appreciated it.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, um, so, yeah, so then took over um in January and, um, yeah, it's been great, just um, you know, I think the uh, the main reason the second time around I got into the homeowner. I really wanted to try to get back into the schools, I think it's um, when I was, like I said, when I was growing up, you know, my dad gave me the opportunity, um, working through lows, to be able to find, you know, a contractor. I don't know that I would have been, you know, be able to work for a framing or a framing company. I wouldn't be able to find that had he not, you know, presented that opportunity. So for me, it's basically about giving back. Like, how can we, if there's, you know, young kids or high school age kids that want to get into the building industry, how can we, you know, work that through so that way, know they have an opportunity?
Speaker 4:So for me, um, it was we need you, yeah, yeah, very much so, um, so, yeah, so, trying to get back into the schools, and we've really found a good end recently with late mormon high school. So we've, uh, we started a thing called trade thursdays, which we did back in april. Oh, wow, yeah, so each thursday we have a different um trade come in electrician, plumbers, hvac and then woodworking. So we've had we started it last year, had a small turnout with kids and then, as we progress, this year we've had even more kids. So kind of keep that going and then just trying to give kids the opportunity if they want to get into construction or at least show them. You know, there's a lot of times there's a negative connotation with a lot of the trades, especially plumbing and stuff like that, to realize like hey, these plumbers are, you know, they're maybe only 5% of actually what you're doing is having to deal with crap.
Speaker 3:So there's a lot no pun intended.
Speaker 2:I was going to say pun intended.
Speaker 4:So to be able to you know kind of see, you know what a plumbing owner, you know what actual owner of a plumbing company does like, you know electricians kind of what they do, and see that and see that you can be successful, especially nowadays when you know the trades are, there's very few people going to the trade so, um, we're definitely have a shortfall. A lot of our tradesmen are older, um, at retirement age. So for us to be able to try to find some type of, you know, help and kids to kind of get into it and it's just enjoy it. You know, find something that you love to do and just, and you, you know saying, find something you love to do it, you won't work a day in your life. I truly believe that.
Speaker 2:We, we were just talking about this. You didn't bring it up right before the podcast. We were just talking about something similar to this. Uh, and I want to get back to Cypress, but before, uh, just a quick question. When you say that you have trade Thursdays, is that do you actually go to Lake Norman high school and they're in a classroom, or do they come out and, you know, go to like a place like this, like where we are now?
Speaker 4:Yeah, so we actually go to the high school. So, um, we've got a connect there at Lake Norman high school. So what we would do is the end of second semester or send the end of second period, the last, usually 25 to 30 minutes. They give them the opportunity. So it's, and these are kids that are pretty much seniors that are going to get into some. They're already in some type of construction field. So they've got some different things at the high school where they have, you know, trade school up in Troutman that they can go to.
Speaker 4:So it's kids that you know that are wanting to get into construction. So, and it's, I think, this most of them. We had 20 to 25 students come in there in a classroom and then we would have, you know, whoever the trade person was at the time talk to them and kind of just, you know, give them insight about what they do, Let them ask questions. It's led to work. We've had my electricians already hired two students, uh, last year. Um, my, the craftsman that we use, um, they also have an internship, so we've had a couple of people that have applied for that internship. So it's, it's led to some, you know, some progress and and being able to find jobs and internships and stuff, um, to kind of see what, what kind of see what they can do.
Speaker 2:So we might edit this out or this might make the final edit, but this reminds me many years ago. I was at a soccer event doesn't really matter and I was doing triathlons at the time and I was doing like sprints. I was a decent triathlete. And I'm sitting there next to this guy, a father of another kid on the team, and we started talking about it and I because I'm me start bragging about my I'm braggadocious about my triathlon experience, and he sits there very calmly and he lets me talk and then, as we finish, he tells me that he's done eight Ironman. He's now done 13. He's literally racing his bike across the country. Okay, this is literally going on right now.
Speaker 4:And.
Speaker 2:I'm. I'm like, oh my God, what an idiot. I just had the exact same experience because right before the podcast, I'm saying Sam, look at me, we're a. We've actually talked to someone at a high school in Concord about this and then, and Sam's like a freaking pro over here. So I feel very emasculated at the moment. Oh my God, that is awesome. Okay, let's get back to Cypress. So when did you start? Why did you decide you wanted to go into business for yourself and maybe some of the early challenges and or wins that you have, yeah, so, um, it's funny.
Speaker 4:So I ended up, um, I was working odd jobs. This was 2013. Um, and I was working, I was doing um F3, uh, which is a local uh, faith, fitness and fellowship. Um, and and more. As we're here and uh, Sean Gallag, sean gallagher, who, um, he was on the we were did a mud run down in columbia, south carolina. So sean was um on the bus with us and I just happened to be sitting next to him on the way back. So I I knew of him didn't really know him that well, but so he and I started talking and, um, I kind of told him my history of love construction.
Speaker 4:At the time. I was working for a metal roofing company at the time, but um just told him, I love construction. I really want to get back into construction. This was right at post COVID, so not a whole lot of business, but um and he uh, so we talked and then he reached out to me later that week and said um, hey, would you be interested in possibly fulfilling a job like a superintendent role, uh, with Jasper builders? So sure, so, um, so I sent him my resume, we talked some more and he ended up hiring me on as a superintendent. So I worked for him for four years. That was 2013, 2017. And the cool thing about it was when I started working for him, I let him know like, hey, you know, my ultimate goal and vision would be to own my own company, you know, be my own contractor and do all that. You know myself Told him up front.
Speaker 2:Yep and he was very, you know, be my own contractor and do all that.
Speaker 4:You know, myself Told him up front, yep, and uh, he was very, you know, accepting of that. He said, you know, that's fine, just, you know, give me an out, let me six months or so, just let me know, so that I can, you know, fill your role. And you know, you're not just leaving me high and dry, um. So I did that, um, and then four actually, um, he technically started the company for me, um, and he kind of worked with me as well. So he and I kind of worked together, um, and he still does some stuff over, you know more, along in Shel's Fort Terrell area in retirement. He's um, you know he's, he's at that age, he's trying to stay young and I think my mom is trying to keep him out of her hair Cause.
Speaker 2:It's a radical change. Change when, when the men retire and they come home, yeah, for the wives they're like what the heck are you doing here? Yeah, don't you have somewhere to go?
Speaker 4:and he's very active. So he's not, you know, he's not the type of person that's going to sit around the house, so for him to just stay active and do that um is very important. So, um, so yeah, so we got the business going. Um, uh, so 2017, so almost uh, it so almost uh, it was almost eight, eight and a half years now. Um, so yeah, I started off doing that Um, and then I, just as I started it was just kind of figuring out, you know did some remodels here, some screen porches, just little things here and there.
Speaker 4:Um got a lot of referrals from Jasper, um, a lot of referrals from other companies, other people that I knew, um, and then just kind of grew from there. So, you know, at the time I was doing remodels, I really liked new construction. That's what we did a lot of at Jasper. But for me, I just kind of found my niche doing remodels. I noticed that there wasn't a whole lot of people doing remodels, um, and then also with that, when I was with Jasper, we were doing a lot of high end stuff. So I was able to see kind of um, you know, some of that clientele and some of that, those projects that we were doing, um, I really got a taste for that doing you know high end, really just being meticulous with what you're doing, um, and just doing you know um, really good job, trying to figure out you know um, you know how to do you know just really nice stuff.
Speaker 4:So for me, once we started that, then we just kind of grew from there. So I got in with some, some realtors. That was kind of a big end for me and then that led to a bunch of different jobs and remodeling and then that just kind of grew. So I just wanted to always make sure I did a really good job and then that way it would bring more business. So and got to the point where just business grew, kept growing, um, more clientele, um, you know, more happy customers.
Speaker 2:Remodeling is has its own challenges. I mean, I would say in a lot of ways it's harder than new construction, because you don't always know what you're getting into.
Speaker 4:Sure, you start doing one thing and all of a sudden, uh-oh yeah but that's what also makes it very exciting, because there's times where, you know, my guys are on the job, they find something in a wall and say, hey, we've got an issue here. Okay, let's figure out a solution. So to be able to go and just kind of, you know, talk it over with the guys okay, there's solutions to everything. It's just a matter of okay is it going to.
Speaker 4:Is it going to look bad? Is it going to cost too much money? Like, what's the solution? Let's talk about it, let's come up with a plan and let's execute. So for me, it's it's. It always keeps me on my toes. It's always something new, something new you find it's always interesting, so that answer is why you should use SAM right there.
Speaker 2:In a nutshell, my dad used to say there's never problems, there's always opportunities for excellence.
Speaker 4:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:And having that type of attitude about. I mean, I don't know how much. I'm sure a lot of our listeners know how challenging remodels can be, but SAM is understating it a lot. There is crazy stuff that can happen, and just to be able to roll with the punches and and kind of live through it and hey, let's, let's figure it out, let's solve the problem together, I mean that's, that's the attitude that you want with a contractor that you're working with. No doubt about it. So what about technology in in your remodels? Do you do you see a lot of it. What do people ask for? What's, what's I don't know what's of interest to them?
Speaker 4:It's kind of tough to say so. Each person's obviously different. So for us, he's positive Perfect.
Speaker 2:I know Seriously no-transcript. You got time to think.
Speaker 4:Do, do, do do do, do.
Speaker 2:The Jeopardy song yeah.
Speaker 4:Trying to think that's a tough question.
Speaker 2:No, we can scratch it across.
Speaker 4:It's across the board. I mean there's.
Speaker 2:I'll re-ask it. Okay, I'll re-ask it Because you said you were a geek in there and you said you like this stuff, yeah. So I'll ask you what is your favorite technology, and then you can go with that, yeah, okay. So, there's no wrong answer. Yeah, we, we. We try to get a little plug for us in here.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that's us trying to think of something good by the way.
Speaker 2:It's funny that you would bring up the Bible. So I one thing I would like to say. I do it every day, but I don't do it a vast majority of days. I've read the proverb of the day for years and years and years, and years and years I don't know how long, 20 years probably and I read that and I learned so much like over so much practical stuff out of there. I've read the Bible through three times, yeah, and the Old Testament is a little more dry. It's a little tougher to get through when you go through the whole lineage. Those aren't the best chapters in the Bible in my opinion, but so much practical wisdom and stuff is crazy, Even that right, oh my gosh now and was so-and-so really 200 years old when he died.
Speaker 2:Well, how old was Moses? Moses didn't have a child until Sarah was barren, until she was over 100, right, yeah, right.
Speaker 3:That's what it always makes, and so-and-so was 200 years old when he died. I'm like really.
Speaker 4:Less diseases back then.
Speaker 3:That's true, that's true.
Speaker 4:All right.
Speaker 2:So we're going to start back over from that last question. Andrew, yes, all right, cool, you want to sing any George Michael, okay. Andrew yes, all right, cool, you want to sing any George Michael? Okay. So, sam, what? What is technology speaking Like? What's your favorite technology out there today? What do you? What do you see that excites you or you think is cool?
Speaker 4:I think for me it's just um, the amount of things you can do in this handheld thing, just the phone. So for me you know everything on there, from my um heating and air system, to my um, a lot of my lights, my pool light, everything is on the phone so I can um, you know, to be able to access that um and do everything from the small little device that's come so far and you know what 10, 15 years it's crazy.
Speaker 3:Um.
Speaker 4:It's just, it's, yeah, it's crazy to think about, and it's crazy to think about where it's going as well. You know, if we've come this far and I think about that a lot like we've come this far in 10 years, you know what's the next 10 years old? It's going to be multiplied.
Speaker 2:So, um, I'm glad you said that, Cause I was not going to ask this, but, but that just reminded me. Does AI play a part in your business today, or have you looked at it, or what do you think about it?
Speaker 4:Not yet, but definitely it's definitely leaning that way. One company that we just started, JobTread, is a project management software we just started implementing, and so they're utilizing a lot of the AI now and so it's starting to come across. So it's kind of cool to see how that's going to affect our industry in years to come. I think a lot of industries are going to be left out because a lot of industries are going to lose people because AI is going to take over. I think it's in the construction industry. Ai can be a very useful to help out in many different ways, but I think it's going to be a huge tool that we can utilize in the future.
Speaker 2:And actually kind of jumping back to the kids. Uh, I know there's a. There's a uh perception and a thought process about AI replacing jobs and some people were scared of that. Ai will never replace the plumber, never replace the electrician AI will never replace the plumber.
Speaker 2:I was just going to say that the electrician they will never replace the electrician, they will never replace the HVAC, they will never replace the technology integrator. That would be us and so very useful. They'll certainly utilize it, but they won't be replaced by it. A builder excuse me, they won't replace a builder right. Be replaced by a builder. Excuse me, they won't replace a builder Right. So, uh, uh, so that, yeah. So that's another safety of our industry, corporately, that that young men and women should at least consider. So, what? So, what about? Uh? Let's jump to the future. What is, what does the future of Cyprus look like? When you look in your crystal ball down five, 10 years, what do you? What do you see? We're not interviewing you, by the way. It's not the. Where do you think you're going to be in five years? But where do you?
Speaker 4:think you're going to be in five years. Well, for me it's just growing the business. I don't want to get to the point where I see a lot of businesses they grow too fast, too quick and they fail that way. For me it's not about necessarily getting bigger and taking on more clients. We take on anywhere from three to five jobs projects at one time, sometimes even a little bit more than that, depending on the size of the project. But for me it's more. Let's streamline. How can we make things run smoother? How can we make the projects less hiccups in the project so that way we can make sure that the projects. You know we're we're pretty good with making sure the projects you know end on time and and and the schedule. We run the schedule really well, but how can we get better with that? So how can we um be more productive? How can we do things to um you know kind of grow that and for me it's the other thing is just really growing the brand Um.
Speaker 4:There's a lot of builders in the area throughout. You know growing up in the, you know growing up in the construction industry, some big time builders you've got. You know uh, think about like Seminani and um Southern cottage and um some of the and Jasper builders. But some of these builders that you just you, you recognize with quality, so with new construction. So for me it's like, okay, how can we build that brand Cypress builders that when they hear that they're like, oh yeah, they do really really good Um, you know.
Speaker 4:Yeah, um, and that's the thing I mean. You only get you know I'm going to be here forever. I don't plan on leaving. I love this place, obviously. I was born and raised here, so I've got to keep that reputation and keep a good reputation. I don't. I tell people all the time I want to be able to run into my client, a past client at the grocery store, and not have to turn the other way because I don't want to talk to them. I want to be able to talk to them, ask them how their house is, ask them how their family is, um, and just kind of go from there. So I, just for me, it's about, um, you know, just kind about.
Speaker 2:All right. So last tough question before I turn it over to Andrew what, uh, what nuggets of advice, words of wisdom would you share with someone that is thinking about doing a renovation, a remodel in their home? Maybe it's a kitchen that I would I'm going to guess that's probably the number one. Maybe it's a bedroom or bathroom. Maybe it's a deck or screen porch. You mentioned that Garage shop. You know shed, but I've made it a shop because it's grown since then. It's the beginning of the podcast. What should people look out for? Or questions they should ask her.
Speaker 4:Well, I think one thing do your research, you know, look at, talk to other clients that these people have used. Make sure you know, look at, talk to other clients that these people have used. Make sure I mean, that's going to be your biggest If. If you talk to you know two or three clients and they say nothing but good things, chances are you're going to have a good experience. You know and see what they can do. The other thing is, if you're, if you're just thinking about, you know, doing a remodel, talk to the contractor first.
Speaker 4:I get a lot of clients that I'll meet with them, and then they'll be like well, we've already got the cabinets picked out, we talked to so-and-so, we've got this, we got that, we're ready to go. You know, whenever you are, we just need a contractor. Well, for me it's like I don't want that job because I want to be able to control it all. So, um, so I want them to meet with me first. You know I like to use, you know I can give them different referrals for for cabinet companies or for, you know, whatever they might need. But for me it's like okay, I work with these people in the area, I know the good ones, I know the bad ones, you know.
Speaker 4:Find the contractor first and let that contractor use his people for um, because you know, we've been in this industry, we know how it works, so we know who the good ones are and the bad ones are. So let us, you know, for me it's let me use my people. Um, that I know. Um, it just makes the thing. It makes the job go easier. It's quicker. My trades all know what they, you know, I know what they expect from me and they, they know what I expect from them. So, um, for us it just makes it run a lot smoother, um, instead of trying to have the client. Well, you know, my brother-in-law is a painter. He wants to do the painting.
Speaker 4:I'm like, well, you, know, for me it's like it's just it makes a lot easier to, um, just have one turnkey and it makes it easier on the client and in the end it's gonna be a lot easier for that client to have one point of contact as opposed to multiple people trying to schedule. The job will go easier and the job will be under, or at least within, budget.
Speaker 2:That's great information, good, good insight there. Andrew, do you have any questions for Sam?
Speaker 1:I do.
Speaker 3:This is when it gets tough. Yeah, this is where it gets tough, Sam.
Speaker 1:So it's going to be okay. So, Sam, we always like to ask all of our guests to gauge your music preference. So who is your favorite band artist? What's your jam.
Speaker 4:I like all kinds of music Probably, so it's opera.
Speaker 1:Yeah, again, it's opera. That's my favorite.
Speaker 4:I'll tell you.
Speaker 3:So I have two young children, again, again it's opera that's my favorite, I tell you so.
Speaker 4:I have two young children, and so, for right now, most of the music that I listen to is the one right now the Garbage Truck song.
Speaker 3:Can you sing the Garbage Truck song?
Speaker 2:Because I don't know the Garbage Truck song.
Speaker 4:You'll have to look that up, spotify.
Speaker 2:The Garbage Truck what was the shark one, because that was after my kids too, Baby Shark, baby shark yeah. Now all of our listeners are totally upset.
Speaker 4:But so I mean probably country music is probably my go-to. You know I like Eric Church, I do like Zach Bryan. I know he's getting a little played out but yeah, so stuff like that. But really more recently I've he's getting a little played out but yeah, so um, stuff like that, um, but really I've been more recently I've been really getting into more um instead of listening to music, I listened to podcasts or I listened to, you know, audio books.
Speaker 2:Um, give us some. Give us some books that, oh, that's cool.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so, um, one recently was a strong father, strong daughters. Um, I've got two young daughters so that was a really good book to kind of you know, um, just very learning experience about how to you know properly raise, you know girls. Um. Another one is um, uh, um Dave Ramsey's new book build a business you love, uh just came out.
Speaker 4:So um been reading that one right now. So just kind of anything to kind of um increase my knowledge on, you know, whether it be family things or work um stuff, anything I can do to kind of increase my knowledge and learn more. So I love music but at the same time, um I like to if I'm mowing the grass or riding around the truck, it's it's always something to kind of, you know increase my knowledge. Um, the older I get, the more I realize that you know knowledge is power. So I really want to try to increase my knowledge. Um, the the older I get, the more I realized that you know knowledge is power. So I really want to try to increase my knowledge.
Speaker 2:That's cool. You learned it earlier than than I did. And you're, you're dead on right too.
Speaker 1:So well before we head out of here, sam, if people, if our listeners wanted to get in contact with you, cypress builders or just learn more about you, how can they do so?
Speaker 4:Sure, so we have a website, cypress-builderscom Also social media, so I'm on Instagram, facebook. We put a lot of new stuff on there, so those items are the main things, but I would say the website probably.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so Google us Cypress Builders, the cypress-phen builderscom and we'll put all your call tags or call signs or whatever those things are called for all that good information they'll all be in the show notes that's right along with shop smith yeah if it exists, we will find out oh cool. Well, man, it's been awesome. Thank you very much thank you very much.
Speaker 4:Yeah, absolutely. Thank you very much for having me greatly appreciate it.
Speaker 1:Yeah thank you.
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